Detoxing or detoxification can be one of the more scary parts of entering recovery, but also the most important. Detox means immediate withdrawal and discomfort. However, detox is essential for many reasons and jumpstarts the recovery process. The process of detox is not necessary for every substance, as some substances must be weaned off slowly or withdrawal symptoms are not severe enough for an inpatient detox stay.
Detox aims to manage the current substances in your body and clear the substances from your system. This process can be done in various ways, both in an inpatient setting and in some cases on an outpatient basis, if there is enough support in the home and community.
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3 Steps to Begin the Process of Treatment
Detox is the beginning of recovery and maybe your first experience with asking for help. Given this, detox requires your commitment to the process and your willingness to continue treatment after you are finished with the detox process. To ensure you continue treatment and do not give up or grow discouraged, remember that you deserve to be treated with respect and have considerations for your personal, ethical, and cultural differences. Given you achieve these considerations and are ready to begin treatment, there are three steps to start the process of treatment.
#1. The Evaluation Process
Evaluation involves drug testing to determine what substances are in your system and what you will need assistance with clearing from your body. Evaluation is also the process of determining your medical needs and any psychological conditions that will require treatment during your recovery process. This process will assist providers in identifying the correct level of treatment for detox and treatment after detoxing. Evaluation will also allow staff to be as supportive as possible during the detox process.
#2. The Stabilization Process
Stabilization will assist you through the process of clearing the substances from your system. Stabilization involves medical, psychological, and social treatment to ensure you are stable during detox and at the end of the process. Treatment during this stage of detox involves staff explaining what to expect during the process and involvement of your family, friends, and other supportive people and organizations in your life.
Involving you and your support system makes detoxing easier and improves your chances of success as you enter treatment. Stabilization also ensures that you are ready and able to enter treatment at the end of the detox process, both medically and psychologically.
#3. Preparing for Long-Term Treatment
Preparing for treatment is a significant part of the detox process. Entrance into a treatment program following detoxification is an essential step in recovery. Recovery is not just getting the substances out of your system but is a process that involves detoxifying your life of people, places, and things that make you more likely to use alcohol or other substances. Detox is usually begun with the idea of entering a treatment program at its finish.
Evaluation, stabilization, and preparing for long-term treatment are the three primary purposes of detox. Undertaking these tasks takes courage and self-compassion. Progressing through the stages of detoxification means you are ready and willing to begin the hard work of recovery. At Renaissance Ranch, we offer detoxification services or refer you to one of our partner detoxification centers. We strive to make sure that you are assisted through each step of the recovery process.
Things to Remember
Detox is not a cure for addiction; it is the first step to recovery and is the beginning of the treatment process. During the detox process, you should be treated with respect. Your support system should be involved in the beginning stages and all stages of treatment. As a part of treating you with respect, you have the right to ask for consideration for your personal, ethical, and cultural preferences.
Detox does not always require an inpatient or residential setting; the setting depends on the substances and your level of support at home and in the community. The substances that most often require inpatient and medically-assisted detox include:
- Alcohol
- Opiates (Fentanyl, Oxycodone, etc.)
- Heroin
- Benzodiazepines (Xanax, Valium, etc.)
Other prescription medications to which addiction and dependence occur may also require medically assisted detoxification.
Substances such as marijuana do not require medical detoxification in most cases. However, in recent years, marijuana has been discovered to be laced or cut with substances that require medical detoxification. There have been reports of marijuana with fentanyl, other opiates, as well as amphetamines, and benzodiazepines. While marijuana alone would not require detoxification, these substances in your system might require you to partake in medically assisted detox.
Detoxification is the beginning of recovery and can be seen as a difficult process. However, detox and treatment do not have to be done alone. Renaissance Ranch supports you through every step of the treatment process, including detox. We provide outpatient, inpatient, and residential options for your treatment needs. You have the right to be treated with respect and dignity and have your decisions valued. At Renaissance Ranch, we use a clinically driven, person-centered approach, following the principles of the gospel and the 12-Steps. We respect your decision to recover and are here to support you every step of the way. Making the first step toward recovery by calling and getting assessed is the most difficult and the most important. Detox and recovery do not have to be overwhelming or scary. Reach out to us at Renaissance Ranch today at (801) 308-8898 to begin the process of healing from your use of alcohol or other substances.